When do the roads open up in Yellowstone?

Shadow_Grey wrote:
Looks like we should be able to enter at the West Entrance and head to the South Entrance. Might be able to stop by Grand Prismatic Springs, Old Faithful, Grant Village and Moose Falls on the way to Jackson. I guess the North and East entrance roads will still be closed till May sometime.

Copied from the link posted by 2gypsies:

All Dates are Subject to Change

2014 Spring Road Vehicle Opening

April 18: Mammoth to Old Faithful; Madison to West Entrance; Norris to Canyon.
May 2: Canyon to Lake; Lake to East Entrance (Lake is one mile south of Fishing Bridge).
May 9: Lake to South Entrance; West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass); Tower to Tower Fall.
May 23: Tower Fall to Canyon (Dunraven Pass); Beartooth Highway.
Please note: The road between the North and Northeast entrances is open to wheeled vehicles year-round.

You will not be able to depart through the south entrance in April as that is not expected to be open until May 9th. You should be able to travel from the north entrance as far as Old Faithful, Canyon and the west entrance.

From the west entrance there should be no problem driving routes 20 and 22 into Jackson with the truck only. Driving route 22 between Jackson and Victor with an RV is not recommended due to 10% grades and sharp curves.

Looks like we should be able to enter at the West Entrance and head to the South Entrance. Might be able to stop by Grand Prismatic Springs, Old Faithful, Grant Village and Moose Falls on the way to Jackson. I guess the North and East entrance roads will still be closed till May sometime.

In 2012 we had a blizzard on 5/28. It was opening day for fishing on Lewis lake. I managed to catch a few fish but nobody wanted to fish with me that day.

I have looked at those sites but was wondering if anybody near there had any in-site as to if the place was in DEEP snow or had a lite year. They open the West roads on April 18th and have fees waived on 19th and 20th. Was just wondering if we can get in there then?

You can get all the information you want from the official Yellowstone site:

Yellowstone Road Information

4huskers wrote:
In April the only road open in the park will be from the north entrance to Cooke City. I'm not sure if there's anything open east out of Cooke City.

No travel east until May 23rd.

West Entrance road opens April 18th. East Entrance Road opens May 2, and the South Entrance opens May 9th. Road between Canyon and Tower opens May 23rd as does the Beartooth Highway. Even though the roads are listed as open it is with a disclaimer of "weather permitting". Another problem with your plan is even if the road is open, the campgrounds along those roads are likely to be closed. Don't even think about entering a closed road, campground or attraction. The fines are prohibitive and they aren't the least bit forgiving.

In April the only road open in the park will be from the north entrance to Cooke City. I'm not sure if there's anything open east out of Cooke City.

Depends on the year, on a low snow pack, now. On a bad winter, 1 June.
This is NOT been a low snow pack, much of Montana and Wyoming has seen from 110 to 150 % of normal snow pack

I've seen 3 feet of NEW snow fall, over night, in April.

I would check with Yellowstone NP itself, as weather is the driver. But honestly April is still "almost winter" up there and not much, other the road plowing, is going on.

I'm not around YNP, but this website might help:

Where are the plows?

Looks to me, Uncle Sam hasn't even started yet. I'm guessing mid-May is when they start.

I was there early June 2011 and a lot of the side roads were still closed. I entered from the South, and the snow was towering on either side of my car, it was like driving in a tunnel.


June 13, 2011, near the South enterance